bafta, noun

/ˈbæftə/
Origin:
English, PersianShow more English (usually as baft), probably adaptation of Persian baft woven, wrought.
historical
A coarse, cheap fabric, usually of cotton.
Note:
Originally of oriental manufacture, but later made in Britain for export, especially to Africa.
Note:
Also Indian English.
1806 [see boslemmer].
1831 J. Collett Diary. I. 616 lb. Sugar & 16 Ell Bafta 5/4.
1856 Cape of G.H. Almanac & Annual Register 61Sheetings, Skirtings white and brown Punjums, white and brown Baftas.
1862 ‘A Lady’ Life at Cape (1963) 82They..sedulously avoid any allusion to business..because they don’t want to bore us about punjums and baftas, and the fall in wool and feathers.
1920 K.M. Jeffreys tr. of Memorandum of Commissary J.A. de Mist 244Goods requisitioned from India..: slaves, spices, pepper, coffee, tea, porcelain,..cotton thread, blue baftas,..ginghams, and all sorts of coarse calicoes.
1954 M. Kuttel Quadrilles & Konfyt 33The tailor..was kept busy making two suits a year of blue ‘Baftas’ for each slave.
c1963 B.C. Tait Durban Story 50The ceiling was made of bafta — a strong calico which, alas! in time sagged in the centre and became the playground of rats and mice.
1972 A.A. Telford Yesterday’s Dress 18Most of the materials are unfamiliar to us, for they represent textiles produced on Eastern looms. Names like ‘sampouris’, ‘bafta’, ‘bethelis’ and ‘taffacela’ abound in the lists of the day.
A coarse, cheap fabric, usually of cotton.
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bafaro, nounn.bag, nounn.
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